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Review “Brazil, The United States and the South American Subsystem” by Carlos Teixeira

1. Place the book within the literature or literatures to which it contributes (e.g., rational choice theory, the analysis of international regimes, comparative foreign policy behavior). This may include literatures with which the author him/herself may not be expressly concerned. Communicate this in terms of a general category which is meaningful to people in international studiessuch as “a history of the Cold War,” or “foreign policy analysis,” or “a contribution to the literature on security studies.”

2. Describe the basic thesis, core concerns, theoretical framework, or historical focus of the book. This should include major findings, conclusions or insights, as well as significant methodologies or strategies used to arrive at these findings or conclusions. This will be expressed differently in different types of books. The main focus of a theoretical book is the domain of the theory and the main features of the model. The main focus of a history will be its geographic-temporal-social domain and the principal conclusion(s) that the author draws from the analysis of this domain. The main focus of a policy analysis book will be its issue-area and the policy approach it advocates.

3. Evaluate the book's conceptual, methodological, or substantive contribution to those literatures. Reviews should assess main ideas and methodologies. How well does the author do what she sets out to do? Could he have made the book stronger at minimal cost by doing more or doing things differently? By looking both for the contributions and for the weaknesses of the book, you help the reader decide if the book is worth reading. You also suggest directions for future research and conceptualization.

4. Identify who might profit from reading the book. Is this a book primarily for specialists in the sub-field, or might most scholars involved in international studies benefit from it? Is it a worthwhile text for graduate students in specialized or general courses, or might it be useful for undergraduates or anyone interested in the way the world works? Be explicit about why the book is appropriate for this audience. Is the material very technical, and therefore hard for the general reader to understand? Does the book cover very basic material in a readable way, thus providing a good introduction for undergraduates or general readers? In some cases it will also be appropriate to note those people who should not read the book.

5. Evaluate the book's style. How effectively is the material organized and written?
These five elements are not of equal importance. The first three must be answered in every review. The last two should always be considered, but they should be addressed in the review only if you have something relevant to say about them.